Bill Activate Key Starter From Injury Before Broncos Clash

The Buffalo Bills will take on the Denver Broncos on Saturday with a trip to the AFC Championship on the line.

If the Bills win, there is a chance they will see the New England Patriots for the third time this season. The Patriots will face the Houston Texans on Sunday. However, if that happens, the Patriots could be seeing the Bills defense with Ed Oliver for the first time this season.

The Bills activated Oliver from injured reserve on Friday. Oliver’s practice window was opened this week, and he has not played in a game since Week 7. He has only played in three games this season.

Oliver has played in 95 games in his career, all with the Bills. Oliver could take the field this week, and it would be great timing considering the Bills placed Jordan Phillips on injured reserve recently.

The Bills allowed the fifth-most rushing yards in the regular season. Oliver could help on that front, but he was having a great year getting after the quarterback. In three games, he had three sacks. His career high in sacks is 9 1/2, a mark he set in 2023. He had three sacks all of last season.

Getting him back is huge for the Bills’ defense. Denver has a great defense, so the Bills’ offense may not find it easy to light up the scoreboard. However, if their defense can keep Bo Nix and company out of the endzone, they have a great chance to advance.

Oliver has 30 career sacks and 56 tackles for a loss. The 28-year-old first-round pick has had a solid career so far, but is still looking to play in a Super Bowl. He has played in 13 playoff games and is hoping to take the field for his 14th against Denver.

He is listed as questionable, but given the magnitude of the game, he is likely pushing to play this week.